Youth Engagement
Growing Hawaiʻi’s Future Farmers – Hawaiʻi GroupGAP for Schools
At North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, we believe that today’s students are tomorrow’s farmers, food producers, scientists, and agricultural leaders. Through our Hawaiʻi GroupGAP program, we work with schools, educational farms, and youth agricultural programs across the state to build knowledge and skills in food safety, sustainable agriculture, and farm business readiness.
Schools interested in participating in Hawaiʻi GroupGAP receive guidance, training, and technical assistance to help students understand Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), food safety systems, and the requirements needed to grow produce for institutional and commercial markets. Our team provides educational resources, hands-on learning opportunities, and support tailored to the unique needs of school gardens, agricultural programs, and youth-led farming initiatives.
Many school farms pursue GAP certification as a way to participate in Farm to School initiatives and sell the fruits and vegetables they grow directly to their school cafeterias. Through the certification process, students gain hands-on experience with food safety practices, recordkeeping, harvest procedures, and quality assurance standards while helping provide fresh, locally grown produce to their fellow students.
By connecting students with real-world agricultural practices, NSEVP helps create pathways for future careers in agriculture while strengthening Hawaiʻi’s local food system. Whether your school is just starting a garden program or looking to expand into food safety certification, we are here to help students gain valuable experience, build confidence, and become active participants in Hawaiʻi’s agricultural future.
Check out our GroupGAP Schools that were featured in the news.
List of Schools Participating in the Hawaiʻi GroupGAP Program:
- Leilehua High School Ag. Learning Center
- KS Kapalama (Elementary)
- Waipahu High School
- Castle High School
- Kaimuki High School
- Waiāhole Elementary School
- Nānākuli High & Intermediate School
- NHIS Ho’opulapula Academy
- Ke Kula O Hāna
- Baldwin High School
- Ka’ana UluPono Mala at Keaʻau High
- Honomaka’u Farms (Kohala High School)
- Laulima Project at Kapaʻa High
- Kauai High School
Waipahu High School- HarmonizedGAP Food Safety Certification and sharing success at the 2026 WeGrow Hawaiʻi Youth Food Summit
“It was a privilege to support Sherlene, a senior at Waipahu High School, as she shared her journey through food safety certification at the WeGrow Hawaiʻi Youth Food Summit. As manager of her school’s hydroponics and microgreens farm, Sherlene played a leading role in achieving certification, working closely with Hawaiʻi GroupGAP [North Shore EVP] on the farm plan, maintaining records, and actively participating in all meetings related to the school farm. It was inspiring to hear her reflect on this experience and to see her emerging as a leader in Hawai‘i’s food security movement, inspiring other youth through her dedication and example.” – Ingrid Dufford, Hawaiʻi GroupGAP Food Safety Specialist
School Food Safety Challenge
Our School Garden Food Safety Challenge is focused on engaging students in learning more about food safety practices by actually implementing them in their school gardens, while documenting their food safety activities in google sheets workbooks.
At the end of each challenge year (2023, 2024, 2025) students will report on the success of their gardens and food safety records will be evaluated based on completeness of data, consistency, and participation.
Monetary prizes are awarded to participating campuses to purchase supplies and tools for their gardens!
Here are some pictures from one of the schools in our challenge, Waipahu Intermediate!
In July 2024, North Shore EVP organized a module for the Hawaiʻi AgDiscovery 2024 program. Thirteen Hawaiʻi AgDiscovery students were hosted at Diamond Head Market and Grill, a new member of our cohort. The students toured the farm, learning about its history from the farm manager and owner, Kelvin Ro, an award-winning chef. Kelvin and his farm manager explained the importance of food safety on the farm, its history, and the farm-to-restaurant process.
Our North Shore EVP Food Safety Specialist discussed USDA auditing processes and our role in supporting farmers. We invited Dr. Anya from the USDA FSIS to share her experiences inspecting farms and working with animals. Additionally, two employees from the Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance spoke about their roles in the largest local supplier to Hawaiʻi’s grocery stores.
To conclude the visit, the students participated in a lei-making activity with Dillan, the farm manager. Overall, the module was a resounding success, with students rating all activities very highly. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with AgDiscovery in the coming years!
